Children’s Mental Health Week – 2026 Dates, Theme and Resources

Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 took place across the United Kingdom from 9 to 15 February, continuing a tradition established by the charity Place2Be since 2015. This annual initiative aims to raise awareness about the mental health challenges facing young people, with this year’s focus centred on the theme “This is My Place.” Schools, families, and communities were encouraged to participate in activities designed to foster a sense of belonging among children and young people.

The week-long campaign highlights that approximately one in five children experience mental health challenges, underscoring the importance of creating supportive environments where young people feel included, safe, and valued. Place2Be collaborated with fourteen other charities to promote the initiative through various activities emphasising teamwork and shared achievement.

What is Children’s Mental Health Week 2026?

Children’s Mental Health Week is an annual UK-wide campaign organised by the charity Place2Be, marking its thirteenth year in 2026. The initiative aims to raise awareness about children’s mental health, inspire action among educators and families, and fund support services for young people across the country. The campaign runs for one week each February, coinciding with the half-term period for many schools.

• Annual UK-wide awareness event dedicated to children’s mental health
• Organised by Place2Be since 2015, now in its thirteenth year
• Provides free resources for primary and secondary schools
• Encourages participation from families and communities
• Highlights that one in five children face mental health challenges
• Promotes local mental health services and support networks

What is the theme for Children’s Mental Health Week 2026?

The theme for Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 was “This is My Place,” a concept rooted in the fundamental human need for belonging. This theme emerged from feedback provided by UK schools, which expressed concerns about inclusion and the feeling of belonging among students. The initiative encouraged adults to create nurturing environments where children can confidently say they belong.

Understanding the belonging focus

Belonging encompasses several dimensions that contribute to a child’s emotional wellbeing. These include feeling included in peer groups, valued by family members, supported in educational settings, and connected to broader communities. When these elements are present, children are better equipped to develop resilience and cope with challenges they may face.

Why inclusion matters in schools

The emphasis on belonging reflects growing recognition that social inclusion plays a critical role in children’s mental health outcomes. Schools implementing the “This is My Place” theme were encouraged to examine their practices and policies to ensure all students felt welcomed and supported regardless of their background or circumstances.

What activities are available for Children’s Mental Health Week?

A variety of activities were suggested for schools, families, and communities participating in Children’s Mental Health Week 2026. These activities were designed to be accessible regardless of available resources, with an emphasis on creating meaningful connections among participants. Schools could adapt activities to suit different age groups and settings.

School-based activities

Schools were encouraged to hold non-uniform days to raise funds, with some partnering with local organisations such as Buckinghamshire Mind, which offered free mental health awareness assemblies. Wellbeing Ambassadors could be recruited and trained to provide peer support, helping to identify loneliness and promoting healthy coping strategies among fellow students.

Focus groups and student voice

Participating schools could run belonging focus groups, asking students directly what makes them feel included or like outsiders. These insights could then inform the co-production of activities tailored to address specific needs within the school community. Prioritising psychological safety and student voice ensured that initiatives remained relevant and impactful.

Community and family activities

Beyond the classroom, families were encouraged to participate by celebrating micro-moments of connection and engaging in teamwork activities that reinforced a sense of being part of something larger. These shared experiences help strengthen bonds between children and their support networks, whether at home or within the broader community.

Where can I find resources for Children’s Mental Health Week 2026?

Place2Be released free resources in the weeks preceding Children’s Mental Health Week 2026, making them available through the official Children’s Mental Health Week website. These materials were designed for use across primary schools, secondary schools, families, and community groups, ensuring broad accessibility regardless of setting or budget constraints.

Available resource types

The resource library included assembly guides with accompanying slides, group activity instructions, and fundraising ideas suitable for various educational contexts. Over fifty short educational videos were made available through Place2Be Parenting Smart, covering topics such as understanding emotions and building wellbeing. Additional materials such as Children’s Book Activity Sheets and top tips posters provided further support for families and educators.

Support services for children and young people

Beyond educational resources, several national support services were highlighted during the week. Kooth offers an online mental wellbeing community and counselling, while Shout provides 24/7 text crisis support for those who need immediate assistance. Additional services include Harmless for self-harm and suicide prevention, Health for Teens for information on stress and relationships, YoungMinds for general mental health guidance, The Mix for those under twenty-five, and Childline for confidential support.

When is Children’s Mental Health Week 2027?

Children’s Mental Health Week 2027 is scheduled to take place from 1 to 7 February 2027, maintaining the traditional February timing that has characterised the campaign since its inception. This information has been confirmed through official sources, allowing schools and organisations to plan ahead for the upcoming event. For those planning ahead, Children’s Mental Health Week 2027 will take place from 1 to 7 February, and you can find more details about the event at Days until Halloween.

1. 2015: Place2Be launches the first Children’s Mental Health Week
2. 2025: Campaign takes place from 3-9 February with theme “Know Yourself, Grow Yourself”
3. 2026: Event runs 9-15 February under the theme “This is My Place”
4. 2027: Scheduled for 1-7 February (dates confirmed by official sources)

What information is established versus unclear about the campaign?

How does Children’s Mental Health Week fit into broader mental health awareness?

Children’s Mental Health Week forms part of a broader landscape of mental health awareness initiatives across the United Kingdom. The campaign operates alongside other notable events such as Red Nose Day 2025, which also raises funds for charitable causes affecting vulnerable populations. Together, these initiatives contribute to ongoing public discussions about mental health and wellbeing.

The timing of Children’s Mental Health Week in February places it strategically within the school calendar, allowing educators to embed mental health discussions into existing curricula. The focus on creating supportive environments extends beyond individual schools to encompass families and communities, recognising that children’s wellbeing is influenced by multiple interconnected factors.

Place2Be’s position as the organising charity brings expertise in school-based mental health support, having worked extensively with educational settings across the UK. Their collaboration with fourteen other charities demonstrates the broader sector’s commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people facing mental health challenges.

Where can I learn more about Place2Be and the campaign’s origins?

Place2Be established Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 as a dedicated platform for raising awareness about children’s mental health issues. The charity has since grown to become one of the leading providers of mental health support in UK schools, offering both direct services to children and resources for educators and families. Their expertise in school-based interventions informed the development of campaign materials and activities.

“Children’s Mental Health Week provides an opportunity to start conversations about mental health that might otherwise be difficult to begin. By focusing on belonging and inclusion, we can help children feel valued and supported.”

The campaign’s growth over thirteen years reflects increasing recognition of the importance of early intervention in children’s mental health. Place2Be’s ongoing work in schools across the UK continues to inform their approach to the annual campaign, ensuring that activities remain relevant and responsive to the needs of children, educators, and families.

Summary

Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 ran from 9 to 15 February across the UK, organised by Place2Be with the theme “This is My Place.” The campaign focused on helping children feel they belong in homes, schools, communities, and peer groups. Free resources including assembly guides, videos, and activity sheets were made available through the official website, while various activities encouraged participation from schools, families, and communities. Looking ahead, Children’s Mental Health Week 2027 is scheduled for 1-7 February, though details about the upcoming theme have not yet been announced. Families seeking support for children’s mental health can access services including Kooth, Shout, YoungMinds, and Childline through the resources provided during the campaign and throughout the year.

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